Would you pay for a security door

[Alex M.]

I recently purchased a small multifamily property that came with tenants.

A tenant in a ground floor unit reached out over this past week asking if I would install a screen door as "the previous landlord had promised to put one in". 

I called them back to better understand what they were interested in doing. Apparently, they spoke with the past owner about being nervous to live on the ground floor without a security door - this is a pretty decent area and not a high crime area. I would personally not be nervous there, but everyone has their own standards.

My tenant did state that they would be willing to pay for the door and the installation, so I don't have much of a reason to say no to them, other than not liking the look and being nervous that someone could do some damage by putting it in wrong. But they then stated that "seeing as they won't take the door with them when they leave, how would I like to handle it - should they just take the money out of the rent?".

I have to admin, this caught me off guard. I told them no. I don't really see the need for the door and don't want to pay for it, but that I would be willing to let them purchase and install it if they are taking on all of the costs. They did not seem too happy at this idea. 

Am I being too strict? 

I'm a newer investor/landlord and only have two other rented properties prior to this one which I just bought 3 weeks ago. I don't want to be a total schmuck/cheapskate, but I also don't want to just start outlaying costs on a property that does not (in my opinion) need them.

What would you do?

[Robert Melcher]

Don't forget that if they put in a security door, they won't want a thumb latch to operate the deadbolt, since anyone could reach through the bars to unlock it.  I suspect they would want a key lock on the inside, or some positive locking feature. 

This would make you liable for fire safety, since you can't (at least in Texas) have a double keyed-deadbolt on an exit door.  Envision little faces pressed against the bars through the smoke...